Todd and Phil Upset in Semis, Take Bronze Medal at FIVB Worlds

Jul 02, 2009

July 5, 2009

STAVANGER, NORWAY -
Former Gaucho Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser won a bronze medal Sunday at the FIVB World Beach Volleyball Championships in Norway. The duo was not able to retain its 2007 Worlds crown after being upset in the semifinals.

Second-seeded Rogers and Dalhausser, who won gold at the 2008 Olympics in China, had no trouble sweeping (21-11, 21-16) sixth-seeded David "Hase" Klemperer and Eric Koreng from Germany in 42 minutes to win the bronze medal.

In Sunday's semifinals, Rogers and Dalhausser were upset 2-1 (21-17, 16-21, 15-10) by third-seeded Julius Brink and Jonas Reckermann of Germany, ensuring there would be a new world champion team in 2009.

The gold medal match featured another upset as Brink and Reckermann rode the momentum and took down the top-seeded Brazilian team of Harley and Alison 2-0 (21-16, 21-19).

Rogers and Dalhausser won the 2007 Worlds by defeating Dmitri Barsouk and Igor Kolodinsky of Russia 2-0 (21-16, 21-14) in Gstaad, Switzerland. The World Championships are held every two years.

On the women's side, Americans Jen Kessy and April Ross won a gold medal on Saturday.

Earlier this year UCSB Athletics unveiled the BE Great initiative. BE Great is dedicated to maximizing leadership ability, strong on-campus interaction, and general welfare for all 450 student-athletes and Intercollegiate Athletics staff at UC Santa Barbara. BE Great also focuses on personal and career development, diversity, and social awareness, along with ensuring academic success. UCSB has a 92% student-athlete graduation rate.